Nahum 1:10 - Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible

Bible Comments

For while they be folden together as thorns, and while they are drunken as drunkards, they shall be devoured as stubble fully dry.

For while they be folden together as thorns, х `ad (H5704)] - literally, 'to the same degree as thorns' (cf. margin, 1 Chronicles 4:27). As thorns, so folded together and entangled that they cannot be without trouble loosed asunder, are thrown by the farmers all in a mass into the fire, so the Assyrians shall all be given together to destruction. Compare 2 Samuel 23:6-7, "The sons of Belial shall be all of them as thorns thrust away, and they shall be utterly burned with fire in the same place," where also "thorns" are the image of the wicked. As this image represents the speediness of their destruction in a mass, so that of "drunkards" --

While they are drunken as drunkards - represents their rushing as it were of their own accord into it; because While they are drunken as drunkards - represents their rushing as it were of their own accord into it; because drunkards fall down without anyone pushing them (Kimchi). Calvin explains, Although ye be dangerous to touch as thorns (i:e., full of rage and violent), yet the Lord can easily consume you. But 'although' will hardly apply to the next clause; the English version and Kimchi, therefore, are to be preferred. The comparison to drunkards is appropriate. For drunkards, though exulting and bold, are weak and easily thrown down by even a finger touching them. So the insolent self-confidence of the Assyrians shall precipitate their overthrow by God. The Hebrew is 'soaked,' or, 'drunken as with their own wine." Their drunken revelries are perhaps alluded to, during which the foe (according to Diodorus Siculus, 2) broke into their city, and Sardanapalus burned his palace; though the main and ultimate destruction of Nineveh referred to by Nahum was long subsequent to that under Sardanapalus.

Nahum 1:10

10 For while they be folden together as thorns, and while they are drunken as drunkards, they shall be devoured as stubble fully dry.